5 Things To Do Before You Ride This Spring

Consider this your very own personal spring motorcycle to-do checklist. Follow these 5 simple maintenance suggestions and you’ll be all ready to de-winterize your motorbike and get a nice smooth start to a sunny new season. Have a look!

Spring Motorcycle Checklist:

Spring Motorcycle Checklist Tip #1 – Change your oil and filter

Temperature changes can create condensation in your motorcycle or scooter. Keep them running on fresh and clean oil.

Here are step by step instructions on how to do an oil change on a KYMCO Venox, but a lot of motorcycles will follow the same basic format, so you can use that as a starting point for any bike.

Spring Motorcycle Checklist Tip #2 – Change your sparkplugs

New spark plugs are an easy way to keep your motorcycle starting without effort, and the spring is as good a time as any to change them. At a few dollars a plug it’s an affordable way to keep performance strong.

Three places to go to find out what spark plug your motorcycle takes:

Your owner’s manual – it’ll be in there

Your dealership – they’ll be able to look it up if your bike didn’t come with a manual

A spark plug may be small, but it has many components to it. You can tell a lot about how your motorcycle is running based on the color of the ground electrode and the texture on thread. Fouling or improper Electrode gap is all it takes to throw off your ignition.

Note: you’ll want to make sure you set the gap to the right amount for your motorcycle. This should also be in your owner’s manual or service manual, but if not, just call the dealership and they’ll tell you. It’s super easy to set the electrode gap (sometimes called “spark plug gap”) – all you need is one of these $2.00 spark plug gap tools from Amazon.

Spring Motorcycle Checklist Tip #3 – Check your tires

Check your owners manual and ensure you have the proper tire pressure in your front and rear tires. While you’re down there, measure your tread by the tires’ warning lines. Also keep your eyes open for any cracks or rot on older tires along the sidewall (the part of the tire that runs vertical and connects to the rim).

The rear tire in the pic is looking like its about had it.

Spring Motorcycle Checklist Tip #4 – Check your gear

Check your helmet, visor, and other items of gear and ask yourself how old they are and if they’re up for one more season.

Helmets should be replaced every 5 years or every accident

Gloves and other items should be replaced if torn

If you’re looking to save a few dollars you might want to check out these tips on Buying New Vs. Used Motorcycle Gear. Some pieces are worth saving on, others should be avoided at all costs.

Answer these questions in your head, and like, be honest with yourself, ok? When’s the last time you…

Changed your oil? ‘Cause it’s supposed to be changed every 4,000 miles or so.

Changed your oil filter? ‘Cause same.

Changed your rad coolant? ‘Cause it’s what keeps your motorcycle from overheating, and helps with performance, and you’re supposed to do it every year or every 6,000 miles, whichever comes from first.

Changed your brake fluid? ‘Cause it’s literally what stops you from dying, and you’re supposed to do it every time it starts getting dark or sooner, which reminds me…

How often have you even checked the color of your brake fluid?

Radiator fluid and front and rear brake fluids need to be drained and flushed every so often. It’s easy to take these for granted and forget all about them, but check those levels and consult your owners manual.

As a general rule, try to change the coolant every year or 10,000 km, and your brake fluid reservoirs every year or two. Bonus tip: Always remember the rider needs his or her fluids too. Stay hydrated!

One final tip, always remember that the rider needs to keep his or her fluids topped up too. Stay hydrated folks. It helps keep your senses sharp and keeps you on top of your A-Game. In the spring time you might have a little rust and dust as a rider from too little time in the saddle, so stay safe, play it smart, make sure your bike is in tip-top shape, and rock on.

You’re all set for another exciting season. Happy riding, shiny side up everyone!

We’re looking to share the stories of men and women riding motorcycles all over the world. We want to hear and see where you’re riding, and answer all of your questions. Let’s make a big world a whole lot smaller, one ride at a time.

About YouMotorcycle

YouMotorcycle is a lifestyle motorcycle blog to be appreciated by those who see motorcycling as a lifestyle and not simply a hobby, sport, or method of transportation. Most of the posts on the site are written by past and present motorcycle industry staff. We remain fiercely independent, innovative, and unconventional.
Our goal is to encourage more people to enjoy the world's greatest outdoor sport by helping new riders get started and inspiring current riders to get out more.
We motorcycle, do You?

Tip number six. If your bike hasn’t had much use over winter, drain the carb’s float bowl! You’d be surprised at the level of condensation that buils up in even a mostly full fuel tank and it sinks to the bottom so it is among the first fluid to go into the fuel system when you start her up!

About Us

YouMotorcycle is for those who embrace motorcycling as a lifestyle. The articles are written by international riders and motorcycle industry professionals.

The site remains fiercely independent, innovative, and unconventional. Our goal is to showcase the best of the online motorcycle community, help new riders get into the sport, and inspire the world to get out on two.